Toyota dedicates new technical center in Michigan
10/9/2008YORK TOWNSHIP, Mich. Toyota Motor Corp. has formally opened a new engineering and safety testing facility near Ann Arbor, bringing 400 badly needed jobs to an area hard-hit by auto industry layoffs.
The Japanese automaker held a dedication ceremony Thursday morning to show off its $187 million investment. About 300 employees will begin work there right away, and Toyota expects to hire another 100 by 2010, with the potential to add hundreds more.
The new complex supplements Toyota s existing technical center near Ann Arbor.
The company now employs about 1,000 workers at both complexes.
Toyota has been doing research in Southeast Michigan for more than 30 years, developing vehicles for the North American market.